Mount Sion Steam Crane, adjacent to the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal

A steam-powered crane, likely built between 1875 and 1884 by Thomas Smith and Sons of Rodley near Leeds, stands adjacent to the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal and originally served the Mount Sion Mill. The crane is constructed primarily of cast iron, set upon a rectangular stone plinth. An iron casing on the base houses the rotating gear, allowing for 360-degree horizontal movement during operation. A tall, cylindrical, riveted boiler, positioned on a rear platform, powered eccentric cams that drove piston rods. Above the rotating gear are the winding gear and cogs that raised and lowered the tapered jib and hoist. The crane, bearing the manufacturer's number 3184, was used to transfer coal between the canal and the Mount Sion Bleach Works, which later became a papermill in the 1930s following a fire. The canal boats were probably specifically designed to carry containers meant to be lifted directly between the boats and the canal bank. There is a possible precedent for this system on the Bridgewater Canal. The crane's operational history beyond this is unknown, and it was partially repainted in 2010. The crane is considered one of the earliest surviving steam cranes in the country, the only remaining example in England located in its original canalside setting. Its component parts remain remarkably complete, showcasing how the crane operated. It is valued for its contribution to the historic interest of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal and as a reminder of steam technology's role in the canal industry. The crane has group value alongside the Grade II listed water-powered beam pump at Mount Sion Mill.